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PERMIT#:M-1983-213 <br /> INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: PSH <br /> INSPECTION DATE: June 27,2014 <br /> OBSERVATIONS <br /> The Lehr Gravel Pit was inspected by Peter Hays with the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety at the <br /> request of Mr. Clay Kimmi with Weld County. Mr. Kimmi was present during the inspection. The site was last <br /> inspected by the Division on May 24, 2010. <br /> The site is permitted as a 112c operation with 36.45 acres of total disturbance. Mining activities ended at the <br /> site in 2012 according to the annual reports submitted by the Operator. The site is in final reclamation. The <br /> approved post-mining land use is rangeland. The final grading was completed in 2012 and the site was seeded <br /> in 2013 according to the Operator. <br /> The site entrance road from WCR 120 is shared with L.G. Everist Materials (Everist), which operates a mine site <br /> north of the Lehr Pit. The approved reclamation plan states all roads will be reclaimed. Mr. Kimmi stated <br /> Everist may wish to leave the road for continued use accessing their mine site. Weld County will be required <br /> to submit a technical revision to change the approved reclamation plan to leave the road, per Rule 1.9. The <br /> technical revision should include a map indicating the location of the access road and a signed letter on Everist <br /> letterhead stating they want the access road to remain at the site. <br /> The topsoil stockpile in the northern portion of the site remains at the site as observed in the previous <br /> inspection report. The previous inspection report stated the County would leave the stockpile in place, since it <br /> was well-vegetated. The Division required the County to regrade the steep side slope to the approved <br /> reclamation slope of 4H:1V. The topsoil stockpile was not regraded and appeared unchanged from 2010 <br /> during this inspection. <br /> Rule 3.1.9(8) requires vegetated topsoil stockpiles to be removed from the area or utilized in accordance with <br /> the Reclamation Plan. Mr. Kimmi stated the required six (6) inches of topsoil was replaced at the site and the <br /> stockpile was not needed for reclamation. The Division will require the County to regrade the stockpile, at <br /> minimum, but recommends the topsoil is used for reclaimation or removed from the site. <br /> The approved reclamation plan seed mixture consists of sideoats grama, blue grama and little bluestem. The <br /> site was well-vegetated, but most of the observed vegetation appeared to be a wheatgrass variety with kochia <br /> and yellow sweet clover. No noxious weeds were obeserved. Patches of kochia were observed thoughout the <br /> mine site, but were largest in the northwest corner and on the west slope. The sweet clover was primarily <br /> observed on the pit floor. The vegetative cover on the southern and western slopes were sparce in areas. <br /> Overall, the site vegetation was acceptable for the first full growing season. The Division recommends the <br /> Operator confirm the approved seed mixture was used for reclamation. If the approved mix was not used, the <br /> Operator should interseed the site with the approved mixture or submit a technical revision to change the <br /> seed mixture with justifiction for changing the mixture. <br /> The site appreared stable and no erosion features were observed during the inspection. All regraded slopes <br /> appeared to be 4H:1V or less. Stormwater puddles were observed in several areas on the pit floor, due to the <br /> recent heavy rainfalls in the area. <br /> Photographs taken during the inspection are attached. <br /> Page 2 of 5 <br />